When we made our journey through the macrophotographic world of the lichen, I spoke of a magical kingdom padded with the existence of lichen. If lichen makes a woodland environment magical, it is the fungus, especially the mushroom that truly brings it to life.

Through the macrophotography of fungi, we will again travel into a breath-taking magical kingdom that the woodland fairies, sprites and nymphs secretly inhabit. We will take a magical journey up close and truly personal. We will find ourselves awe-struck with the beauty that lies before us. The beauty that the woodland fairy, nymph and sprite take for granted will be made visible for us mere humans to enjoy through the magic of macrophotography.

Source

These mushrooms were actually the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil. There is so much texture and detail to be appreciated in this small beauty. | Source

This lovely fungi almost looks like a butterfly perching on the log. | Source

To give you a reference for how small these fungi really are - the stick looking object is a pine needle. These are very interesting. | Source

A great shot of a truly gorgeous orange mushroom. | Source

As we step deeper into the world of the fungi, we will find colors, textures and forms that we may have not known existed. We will become entranced with the beauty that we discover as macrophotography brings the fungi and its characteristics into focus allowing us to see as we have never seen before.

I have always been intrigued by the beauty of the mushroom, and how they seem to miraculously appear out of nowhere. The colors and textures that they exhibit are phenomenal. Macrophotography allows us to take our time fully dissecting the beauty caught by the eye of the photographer. So search the images that are presented to you carefully, looking for the fairy, sprite or nymph. They are elusive, but the photographer might have gotten lucky.

The lines, textures and colors of this fungus makes a very interesting subject to study and analyze. | Source

Notice how thin the tops of these bright yellow mushrooms are. | Source

It's hard to believe this is one plant. It looks like something has been deposited on top of this red fungus. Amanita (Fungus) | Source

What a wonderful picture to display the delicate ribbing found under the cap of a mushroom. | Source

What a beautiful display of the chocolate-y colors of brown. | Source

An example of a gorgeous yellow fungi. | Source

Almost looks like a "gummy" fungi. | Source

Here is an interesting specimen growing on this tree. | Source

Here is a fungus that has been touched by Jack Frost himself! The ice crystals are phenomenal. | Source

A very tiny pink mushroom. If you look closely, you will see a fuzz on these mushrooms, especially the one closest to the front. | Source

Click thumbnail to view full-size

This mushroom looks like it has been sprinkled with pollen, or maybe even star dust. | Source

The photographer called this a Yankee Mushroom. | Source

An amazing photo of the underside of a fungus. | Source

Birdnest Fungus, Cyathus stercoreus - This fungus looks like porcelain and the right one has a chip in it! | Source

Green Shelf Fungus | Source

Brown Curly Shelf Fungi | Source

Stereum sanguinolentum | Source

A very frilly fungus is shown in this image. | Source

A gorgeous red shelf fungus. | Source

Notice all the great texture and color variations that are exhibited by these fungi. | Source

Dryad's Saddle's Clinging | Source

Dryad's Saddle - Notice the drop of liquid cupped on the cap of this mushroom. | Source

Dryad's Saddle | Source

The Dryad’s Saddle mushroom (Polyporus squamosus), also known as the pheasant’s back mushroom, has a shape and stem that simulates a saddle that can be ridden by a woodland spirit, the dryads. You may be asking yourself, what is a dryad? In Greek mythology, the dryad is a tree-dwelling nymph. These nymphs are also known as tree sprites. Look at the pictures carefully; you may actually spot the ever elusive nymph!

Although the Polypous squamosus is quite common, this mushroom is unusual in that it smells like a watermelon rind. The Dryad’s Saddle develops and thrives on the lower portions of dead and living hardwoods, especially elms. It can most often be found in Eastern North America. This fungi can be located in both the spring and the fall. The Dryad’s Saddle usually grows in the same location year after year until its food source has been totally consumed.

Many fruiting fungi have medicinal properties and many are edible. The Dryad’s Saddle is no different. The full-grown Dryad’s Saddle mushroom is very tough, leathery and bitter; however, the tender, young mushroom cap is edible.

The lens cover gives you a good idea just how large this fungi is! | Source

Dryad's Saddle Seepage - An amazing image! Notice the textured surface from which the drops are hanging. | Source

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Fungus, such as the Dryad’s Saddle has been used to craft art paper by making very thin slices. Much the same way that cellulose fibers can be utilized to create standard paper, these fungi can be used.

Dryad's Saddle | Source

Notice the size of this fungi compared to the lady's hand. A mature Dryad's Saddle can become quite large, 2-3/8 to 24" across. | Source

Through the macrophotography of fungi, we have traveled into an amazing and magical world of splendor and wonder. We have viewed fungi from a whole different perspective - one of endless beauty. As we walk through the woods, we may overlook the smaller fungi, and be truly amazed by the larger fungi. However, through the use of macrophotography and the skill of the photographer, we were able to enter into the wondrous places that the fairies, sprites and nymphs have been said to inhabit. As we journeyed into the amazing world of the fungi, we found a truly amazing world we had only previously dreamed of.

MazioCreate - I am pleased that you enjoyed the photos. I did not take them unfortunately. Fortunately flickr has many to choose from. Thanks so much for stopping by!

AUTHOR

Cindy Murdoch

7 years agofrom Texas

Movie Master - thank you so much. They really are beautiful. Macrophotography make it possible to see such wonderful things. Thanks so much for stopping by and voting! Here's wishing you a very merry Christmas.

AUTHOR

Cindy Murdoch

7 years agofrom Texas

My Minds Eye53 - i only deleted one and I was having problems with it. And my computer is less than 6 months old. So it is certainly okay. I appreciate it when someone lets me know when they are having problems so I can make things as good as possible. I just fixed two typos my husband told me about.

So I appreciate your letting me know.

Have a great Christmas and thanks for stopping by.

AUTHOR

Cindy Murdoch

7 years agofrom Texas

vocalcoach - I wish I had taken these pictures, but I found all of them after hours of searching through flickr. The photographer's information can be found by clicking on the blue text under each picture.

I am pleased that you liked this hub. Thanks your so much. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas.

MazioCreate

7 years agofrom Brisbane Queensland Australia

Your photographs of the fungi are spectacular. Thanks for sharing such beauty.

Movie Master

7 years agofrom United Kingdom

Fabulous hub homesteadbound, fungi are so beautiful close up and the information is so interesting, thank you for sharing and voted up.

My Minds Eye53

7 years agofrom Tennessee

Thank you homesteadbound, Merry Christmas to you also. I wish you hadn't deleted any, I am sure it is my computer, she is on her last leg and I am having all kinds of problems with it. I hope to get a new one at tax time. I could see the thumbnails, but could not get the larger photos to come up. I am sure it is me, not you.

Audrey Hunt

7 years agofrom Idyllwild Ca.

This is truly an amazing hub with all of the stunning photos. I had no problem with bringing them all up. I had no idea you are such an accomplished photographer,

I would love to be able to capture such photos. These are spectacular and deserve a vote across the board except for funny. A big thanks!

vocalcoach~

AUTHOR

Cindy Murdoch

7 years agofrom Texas

daisynicolas - I have you thinking, do I? I did not take any of these. I am trying to find the thumbdrive where I have stored all the pictures I have taken.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Thanks for stopping by!

AUTHOR

Cindy Murdoch

7 years agofrom Texas

My Minds Eye53 - I went through all the pictures again and had problems with one - I deleted it so as not to cause problems for anyone else. Did you have problems with more than one? And were the problems when looking through the thumbnails or when clicking on individual pictures and looking at the larger picture? I appreciate your feedback and your help.

You will not be able to see all of these, they are from all over the world.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I am glad that you enjoyed them. Here's hoping you have a wonderful Christmas!

AUTHOR

Cindy Murdoch

7 years agofrom Texas

davenmidtown - I really do like mushrooms. My husband does too. Whenever he is working out in the woods and finds a nice batch, he calls me on his cell for me to come out and take a look. We both love nature.

Thanks for the votes and thanks so much for stopping by!

daisynicolas

7 years agofrom Alaska

Whatdyaknow...I have tons of fungi pics, too that I have taken. I always thought that they are intriguing specimens of the earth. The photoss are crystal clear gorgeous. Hmmm...now that's an idea...

My Minds Eye53

7 years agofrom Tennessee

Not all the photos would come up for me, but the ones I could see they were beautiful. I like taking photos of mushrooms and toad stools also. We don't have the wide variety shown in these photos, around here. At least I have not found them yet, but I will be looking.

voted up

David Stillwell

7 years agofrom Sacramento, California

Mushrooms are so beautiful and some are quite deadly...such a great mixture and variety of mushrooms and fungi. Voted up and awesome.

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